Trend, Azerbaijan
Jan 6 2010

2010 to be year of Karabakh in Azerbaijan: political scientist
06.01.2010 16:49
Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan.06 / Trend News, M.Aliyev /

2010 will be a year of Karabakh in Azerbaijan, director of the
Azerbaijani Center for Political Innovations and Technology, political
scientist Mubariz Ahmedoglu said in a briefing on the results of 2009
at Trend press center.

Ahmedoglu said it is preceded with the fact that important statements
related to Nagorno-Karabakh are sounded on behalf of great countries
for the second year. "All three principles – non-use of force,
recognition of territorial integrity and right of self-determination
had been also discussed earlier. However, they were included in a
specific document only at a meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in
Athens," the political scientist said.

Besides Ahmedoglu paid attention to the fact that the words "Nagorno
Karabakh" and "Artsakh" were not used in President Serj Sargsyan’s New
Year address unlike previous appeals.

However, Armenian ruling party is bellicose. The western countries
should pay attention to this while holding negotiations with this
country.

Azerbaijan’s successes in 2009 include the development of military
industry, which will be of great importance in solving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ahmedoglu said.

The political scientist believes that Iran’s mediation in settlement
of the conflict can intensify the developments in the region.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are
currently holding the peace negotiations.